MATH TOOLS NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 4, 2004 - No. 18 The new school year is about to begin and we hope that the cataloging activity helps you find the resources you need to use technology in your mathematics classroom. As you browse the catalog, please take a moment to rate and possibly leave a comment or a review! ***FEATURED DISCUSSION Computer Tools at PreK-2 http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?do=m&thread=_____round-104 Bethany asks, "I have some concern, and I've heard it voiced by other teachers who teach at this level too, that using computer tools to explore mathematics is really not appropriate." ***FEATURED DISCUSSION Using TI-84 in Math A classroom http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?do=m&thread=__dd___g-1 Suzanne writes, "Is it appropriate for math teachers to allow use of the TI 84+ Silver in a Math A classroom? Are there any Math A (high school course for students not ready yet to take Algebra 1) teachers with an opinion to share?" ***FEATURED DISCUSSION Special Needs http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?do=m&thread=_____round-107 Brienne explains, "I'm new to math tools but have found many links that will be an asset to Special Education and am curious if there are any other Special Ed. teachers who have other resources or recommendations for tools to use. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Ball and Urn Experiment Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, Univ. of Alabama at Huntsville http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/14973/ Simulates drawing balls from an urn, with or without replacement. Specify number of balls, number of red balls, and number drawn. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Five Frame NCTM Illuminations http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/12907/ In this interactive five-frames tool, users practice counting and adding to ten. The frames help users think of numbers in relation to 5. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Fill and Pour National Library of Virtual Manipulatives http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/3046/ Fill a glass with the requested amount of liquid by filling, emptying, and pouring between it and a second container. Click the "New Problem" button to generate new parameters; "Challenge" creates containers that make the target amounts impossible, and invites you to "experiment and see if you can determine why the given target cannot be obtained by working with the given containers." CHECK OUT THE MATH TOOLS SITE: Math Tools http://mathforum.org/mathtools/ Register http://mathforum.org/mathtools/register.html Discussions http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html Research Area http://mathforum.org/mathtools/research/ Developers Area http://mathforum.org/mathtools/developers/ Newsletter Archive http://mathforum.org/mathtools/newsletter/ \`. .--------------.___________) \ |//////////////|___________[ ] `--------------' ) ( '-' The Math Forum -- 4 September 2004